In a world of iPOD’s, computer games and DVDs, gardens are our nearest gateway to nature. Planting a garden with your children builds family relationships as well as stronger connections to the land, weather and plants of Texas.

When looking for a garden site in your yard, choose an area with good sun and access to water. If you have shallow or poor soil, consider creating raised beds. Have your child help decide the garden’s shape by drawing shapes on paper and talking about how you might arrange flowers, herbs and vegetables in those shapes. Space permitting, consider creating a small arbor where overhead plants can create magical hideaways for children.

You may want to read through regional gardening books and seed catalogs with your child when choosing plants. Plants adapted to this area will be much easier to grow and keep healthy, and native flowering plants attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Avoid toxic plants, and consider aromatic herbs and edible plants. If you choose to start some plants from seed, let your child create garden markers using either names or drawings to help recognize the plants when they germinate.

Find sturdy gardening tools. Many nurseries and garden centers have small spades and rakes that are the right size for children. Avoid digging with hand trowels unless the soil is very friable, or you are working in pots—small hands and wrists tire easily.

Use soaker hoses with timers to keep soil moist while your seeds are germinating. Keep a calendar to record when you plant seeds and when they germinate. Place a rain gauge in the garden to keep track of showers. Find a magnifying glass to peer at leaves, flowers and insects in your garden.

Keep your garden safe for everyone by avoiding the use of toxic landscape chemicals. Visit www.growgreen.org for information on less toxic landscaping.

Finally, celebrate your harvest of wildflower bouquets, herbs for cooking, and tasty vegetables. Gardening with you will create lifelong memories for your children.

Be sure to find kid-friendly tools!

Gardening is always fun with family.